All posts tagged ‘Fashion’

Yesterday I opened up my short series of steampunk book reviews with five fictional offerings. Today, I’m going to share with you a collection of non-fiction books. (Can non-fiction steampunk books really be called non-fiction given the subject? Hmmm….)

One of the things I find most interesting about the steampunk genre right now is how the number of reference steampunk books is keeping pace with the fictional releases. Magazines, fashion, and even collections of essays devoted to a subject could certainly be an argument that the subject matter has reached sufficient popularity to label it as thriving. Well, examine this list of non-fiction books and ponder whether steampunk is still a fad… or if there’s enough evidence to consider it here to stay. Continue Reading “A Collection of Steampunk Reviews, Part II: Gears Engaged” »

Try as I might I simply cannot deny the genuine charm of JumpFromPaper’s innovative line of messenger bags and purses. Created by Taipei-based designers Chay Su and Rika Lin, these real-life products are, as the name implies, painstakingly crafted to resemble hand-drawn, 2D illustrations. From the vibrant coloring to the thick artificial “outlines” that define each item, they are eye-catching, engaging and downright exciting.

JumpFromPaper was nice enough to send me one of their Play Hooky models to review, and, though they generally tout their bags as storage solutions for tablets, I found it to be perfectly sized for my 11″ MacBook Air. While less than an inch deep in its collapsed state, the Play Hooky can be expanded – by unzipping a secondary zipper that runs along the outside – to more than triple that. When fully extended it offers more than enough space for the MBA or similar ultrabook, and its rigid construction and rugged stitching provide proper insulation from the hazards of the daily commute. Continue Reading “Travel Bright With JumpFromPaper’s Play Hooky Messenger Bag” »

While many geeks likely spend more time tweaking their avatars than contemplating their real world wardrobes, there are those among us who have a genuine interest in fashion. And though my workday garb often consists of chinos and polos – not to mention the traditional jeans-and-t-shirt nerd uniform I rock away from the office – there are times when a man needs a more formal ensemble.

When I first encountered Indochino’s Superhero Collection, I was thrilled. The designs themselves capture the dual nature of the comic book crime-fighter with strong, dark exterior colors masking vibrant linings. Further, the Indochino online purchase interface allows buyers to customize practically every facet of an order and even offers helpful hints to those unsure whether or not pleated pants are in. (Pro-tip: they most certainly are not.)

When word reached the GeekDad camp that online clothier Indochino had released a new menswear collection inspired by superheroes, I was simultaneously impressed and perplexed. The designs were striking, sure, but how exactly was the classic comic book aesthetic of the costumed crime fighter being channeled into these custom-fitted creations?

So I investigated.

Heikal Gani, Indochino co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, professed an unsurprising affection for the source material, specifically the Batman and Spider-Man stories he and CEO Kyle Vucko grew up reading and watching. He further elaborated saying:

One of the core inspirations behind the collection relates to the duality of the Superhero personality. By day they are curious journalists, reserved scientists, vengeful billionaire playboys or nerdy students who overcome their fears and limitations using superhuman powers, advanced technology, superior intellect and a fierce determination to fight for what’s right.

The Superhero Collection plays on the multifaceted nature of the superhero through its design details and features. On the outside you’ll find an every-day Indochino suit but on the inside the internal lining is home to the alter ego. There are four linings inspired by various Superheroes, each representing a particular characters using colours and patterns that are familiar to all of us with a Superhero inside.

A deeper look reveals that, in addition to the specialty liners that seem to give subtle nods to the heroes we all know and love, the Superhero Collection also employs the visual shorthand of the costumed vigilante in other interesting ways. The color choices, these rich blues and steely grays, are distinctly masculine, and they’re certainly within the standard superhero palette. Moreover, the contrast stitching on the buttonholes and magnetic lapel pins (which ape the designs of the liner material) provide for the same kind of visual pop as, say, a bold yellow bat insignia against a dark and somber suit of protective body armor.

Looking for that perfect gaming accessory to go with your countless geeky t-shirts? Maybe you’ve made the leap and gotten some game related ink but you don’t have any awesome earrings to match? What you need is some jewelry made with board game components.

The Hard Boiled Megg shop on Etsy is selling some awesome looking board game inspired jewelry perfect for filling out your gamer look. Megan Raley, a professional crafts instructor and jewelry maker, has teamed up with her husband, Daniel Solis, a game designer featured on GeekDad for his Writer’s Dice project and the fabulous Do: Pilgrims of the Flying Temple roleplaying game. Both are avid board gamers and Megan has a particular fondness for Carcassonne, which explains the meeple-centric design of these earrings and necklaces.

Everything in the store ranges between $16-$30. You can get a pair of earrings, a necklace, or a set of both, with either gold, silver, or copper hardware. Megan is currently working on more masculine offerings (I want some cufflinks!), which should be up on the store soon. Check out this fun YouTube video for more info on the process of creating the pieces.

My family is a fairly active one, especially in the Spring through Fall seasons. We camp frequently and that involves plenty of hiking, wading through water, climbing and playing sports. We also like to take the kids on frequent outings while the weather’s nice and often as not, that involves walking. Whether strolling through the downtown of a city, tromping through a park or along a hiking trail, visiting the zoo, theme parks or a museum, there’s usually a lot of walking involved. And through the summer, we hit the beach at least once a week as well. Someone at Merrell has obviously read about our undertakings and saw that GeekDad has dabbled in footwear before, as they reached out and offered up some current footwear to put through its paces.

I was happy to give it a whirl. Our kids are pretty tough on shoes, especially my daughter Natasha, who has a well-earned reputation for tackling terrain that’s more difficult than necessary, combined with a fondness for water and picky fashion sense.

Merrell Waterpro Z-Rap for Kids

Natasha is also a vegetarian, so the Waterpro Z-Raps were a perfect choice. They drain easily when wet, they provided traction for clambering on rocks and climbing trees and they look smart. The mesh doesn’t just help water to drain faster, it also helps provide ventilation. They withstood a solid day of tromping around Canada’s Wonderland without a word of complaint, and that’s saying something. Slipping the shoes on and off was easy thanks to the elastic enclosure and best of all, Natasha embraced these shoes because anything resembling leather was synthetic. My wife is also on a “no leather” tear and she was extremely happy with the Waterpro Pandi shoes she received. She reports they are extremely comfortable for walking, as well as providing support on rocks and grip on slippery surfaces. They also include hydro drainage ports and a ventilated foot bed for quick drying after wading in the surf. And they are vegan friendly.

Merrell Women's Waterpro Pandi

I was sent a pair of Waterpro Tawas. While my Teva water sandals are quicker to put on and take off (snap buckles vs. laces on the Merrells), I’ve put the Waterpro Tawas through miles of concrete, gravel, grass, beach and some malls as well, not to mention a few casual football, baseball and soccer sessions and they’re currently my favorite, all purpose summer shoes. Well, I’m pretty fond of the Clash Chuck Taylors I scored for Father’s Day too, but those only come out for special occasions… Like the other Merrells we received, any leather used on the Waterpro Tawas is synthetic. They wash well, dry fast and still look virtually brand new. And I have to admit, I’m kind of partial to the funky orange and green color scheme. At $95 they aren’t unreasonable compared to other shoes in this class and I’ll likely buy another pair if/when I ever wear these ones out.

Merrell Men's Waterpro Tawas

Adult shoes are one thing -it’s not like I’m going to grow out of them, so they are a reasonable investment- but is it worth forking out $55 for a pair of kid’s shoes? The WaterPro Z-Raps will certainly outlast most kids’ use of them, but by the time they move on and grow out of them, I suspect the shoes will still be in pretty good shape. Give them a good wash and if you choose a fairly neutral color, you should be able to hand the shoes down to a sibling and get another full cycle out of them. They’re also good in terms of support, and as someone who’s spent more time than I’d like listening to kids complain about sore feet during a day of walking, the Merrells are probably worth it on that front alone. We’re heading off to Disney World for a few weeks shortly; that will be the ultimate test, but I suspect the shoes are up to it.

Fashion is not something that is normally synonymous with geekdom. Sure, we’re aware of how we are dressing and those of us with professional jobs tend to blend in on a daily basis. However, we still sport our spants and Superman wallets on the weekends when we can get back to dressing how we like. Never did we think that the geek way of representing our psychical selves to the world would become anything more than just a niche style of dress, just as individual as we are. Things change though, and now it’s easier than ever to find the “geek” style of dress everywhere. That said, it may actually be a fashion.

So what is fashion suggesting? Fashion is clearly suggesting that the geek style of dress we’re all used to and grew up with can now be considered as a fashion. We see it all over the internet, from T-shirts with 80′s and 90′s Nintendo and Mario jokes, to the odd cubicle section at Target selling Lucky Charms T-shirts that only the most ostracized of nerds would have worn ten years ago. What was once the trademarked offbeat style of dress that geeks adhered to, has now become a mainstream fashion staple.Continue Reading Geek Fashion

I admit that I am a fan of Project Runway. Yes, it is probably one of the least GeekDad-ish shows on television. But there I was watching the premiere show last week. (I can’t explain my affection for this show.)

If you are still with me, the show has developed an outlet that is more likely to attract the attention of GeekDads. Tim Gunn, the fashion mentor for the Project Runway contestants, will be featured in a Marvel comic book.

Tim Gunn & Iron Man join forces this September in a special back-up story in Models, INC. #1. Models, INC. is a limited series set in the world of high heels, high drama and high fashion, and features Marvel’s Fashionistas Mary Jane Watson, Patsy Walker, Millie the Model and more.

Mr. Gunn becomes an action figure. In “Loaded Gunn,” the New York Museum of Fashion is hosting an exhibit of Iron Man’s armor. Apparently, Mr. Gunn jumps into Iron Man’s suit of armor to save a fashion exhibition from evildoers.

Look for the special Tim Gunn variant Models INC. in comic stores September 9.